Eberhard, commissioned by the landgrave, had turned to Brück for advice, and in his letter also asked for Luther's advice because of his double marriage. Luther informed him of his opinion.
A copy is in the archives at Weimar, Reg. C, p. 163, No. 19, fol. 247. Printed by De Wette-Seidemann, vol. VI, p.267.
To the strict, honorable Eberhard von der Tann (Than), captain of Wartburg, my favorable lord and good friend.
Grace and peace in Christ. Strict, firm, dear Lord and friend! To your letter to Doctor 2c. Bridges for faithful advice, M. gn. H., the Landgrave, into which you have also drawn me, I truly know nothing better than that you yourself write: how his F. G. would be minded to write to the Emperor where he arrived: they would have taken a concubine to themselves; which they also wanted to do from themselves, if other princes and lords would first give a good example. Such a writing would make a clamor and come out everywhere, so that the matter would be covered up and made secret again, and all the mouths that are now clamoring would be closed. For that his F. G. should otherwise issue a writ of prohibition, or tell the things 2c., that is in no way to be advised, and there would be no measure nor end to the disputes and suspicions. But if the Emperor had to consider it a concubin, no one would be allowed to speak or think otherwise, and I will, if God wills, keep silent about my part of the confession I received from His Holiness through Butzern, and I shall be disgraced about it. For it is better that it be said that D. Martinus has cheated your landgrave with his yielding (for it is
No. 2685.